Workforce

With 22,000 New Yorkers working in the renewable energy industry, New York already possesses a strong clean energy workforce. Offshore wind is poised to be the next clean energy industry to establish roots in New York, and to be a key driver in the increasing demand for clean energy workers in the state.

With the development, construction, and operation of 9,000 MW of offshore wind by 2035, New York will realize thousands of new jobs in manufacturing, installation and operation of offshore wind facilities, capitalizing on a regional commitment to scale the resource. These jobs are expected to support New York wind farms as well as regional projects, and many will provide sustained career opportunities for New Yorkers for the duration of a project’s useful life, projected at 25 years.

Many New Yorkers already possess most of the skills necessary to attract offshore wind manufacturers and developers. However, the scale and offshore location of the technology may require some workers to have industry-specific training. New York State is working to assure that both new and existing workers will have the skills needed to participate in this industry, whether the jobs are offshore or on land. New York is coordinating directly with the local workforce, industry experts, and other state agencies to expand activities such as vocational training, training facilities, certification programs, union training, apprenticeship opportunities, and curriculum development. To meet this end, the Jobs and Supply Chain Technical Working Group is advising NYSERDA as to the use of $10 million allocated to fund offshore wind workforce training from 2018 to 2025.

Additionally, in his 2019 State of the State Address, Governor Cuomo announced the establishment of a New York State Advisory Council on Offshore Wind Economic and Workforce Development as well as investments in an offshore wind training center to provide New Yorkers with the skills and safety training needed to participate in the offshore wind industry.

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Offshore Wind

NYSERDA is leading the coordination of offshore wind opportunities in New York State and is supporting the development of 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy by 2035 in a responsible and cost-effective manner. Offshore wind will be a crucial step on the pathway to a carbon-neutral economy as Governor Andrew M. Cuomo proposed in his Green New Deal, a nation-leading clean energy and jobs agenda. Offshore wind will support the Governor’s call for 70 percent of New York’s electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030.